Overview
- The Digital Communications Commission approved Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommendations on satellite spectrum at a meeting on September 2, clearing a major policy barrier for commercial sat‑broadband.
- The framework sets a spectrum usage charge of 5% of adjusted gross revenue with a 1 percentage‑point concession for operators serving government‑designated rural and remote areas.
- Spectrum will be assigned administratively for an initial five‑year term with possible extension, rather than through auction, and the DoT must move the file for final government sign‑off.
- Operators must still complete security demonstrations and obtain clearances from agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs before launching services, a step companies such as Starlink say they are actively pursuing.
- Industry groups want much lower initial charges (1–2% AGR) and commentators warn administrative allocation could prompt legal challenges over fairness, while regulators stress satellite links can reach flood‑hit, hilly and island communities where fibre and towers are impractical.